If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning, torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day... EB White

Thursday, May 31, 2012

An article in The Atlantic, "Confirmed: He who sits the most dies the soonest", references research that shows sitting for extended periods of time is bad for your health. A startling finding from the research was that people who sat more than 11 hours a day are 40 percent more likely to die within the next three years than those who sat less than 4 hours a day. Doesn't that kinda makes you want to get off your butt?

Stand up desks are one way that people are able to get more movement during the day. Some work places even encourage walking meetings, that tend to be both productive and shorter than traditional sit down meetings. Simple short walks throughout the day can both help get one's mind moving in addition the blood circulating.

What are some things you might do to get moving and free from sitting?

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Over the weekend in Northwestern Wisconsin I was delighted to discover a Luna Moth. I was impressed with how well it blended in with the green grass. I just about missed it while on my run through the woodland forest. The large olive shaped eyes on the wings also made quite an impression!

Pictured at right is a puddle on the sandy cabin road. It reflects the surrounding trees.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

It was fun to see the little ducklings get in line behind their mama for an evening swim. She's got a full bakers dozed (13)! I spotted this crew while on my evening walk around Bassett Creek Park's pond.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Researchers now believe that not all birds are hard wired to sing their songs. They've discovered that as songbirds birds learn to sing they develop neurons in their brains to learn the new vocalizations. An article by Sandi Doughton, Singing isn't just for the birds, further describes this research.

This research provides a model for speech learning among humans. So while you might not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, we older humans just might still be capable of learning a new song. How's that for good news!?

I guess I will stick it out in the church choir for another year or two ;-)

Thursday, May 24, 2012

The Crystal Fund for Community Progress is heading up a successful shoreline demonstration project at Memory Lane Pond. This project has been made possible in large part to funding received from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, along with a great deal of volunteer involvement with planting and maintenance. The park is located near the intersection of 44th and Louisiana Ave North in Crystal, Minnesota. Planting was done this last summer and some of the plants are already starting to blossom. It will take a few years before the plants fully mature and the level of ongoing maintenance is reduced.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The City of Crystal Parks and Recreation Commission held a public gathering to celebrate Arbor Day earlier this spring at the Twin Lakes Shores Park. Prior to their regularly held meeting an expert on shoreline restoration shared information on how to develop a natural shoreline.

There was considerable opposition by neighbors who were in attendance of the current "no mow" policy along the shoreline. They preferred a well groomed regularly mowed lawn down to the water's edge. However residents also expressed concern about a degradation of the water quality.

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources shores without native plants tend to have:

Poor water quality

A loss of wildlife

City of Crystal Parks &
Recreation Commission

Erosion and may require regular mowing

Natural shorelines provide the following benefits:

Attractive to view, and lower maintenance than a lawn

Improved water quality, while increasing the health and diversity of the aquatic environment

Diversity and health of shoreline vegetation and critical habitat for fish and wildlife.

The DNR has a website, Restore your shore, with much useful information on shoreline restoration.

Monday, May 21, 2012

My wife and I were reminded of the kindness of strangers this weekend when good Samaritans quickly responded after my wife took a tumble off her bike on a country gravel road. We had traveled to an Ultimate Frisbee tournament to watch our daughter play and brought our bikes along to ride before the games started. While biking my wife had just turned from a blacktop road onto one with loose gravel and immediately slide out of control. She banged up her arm, shoulder and got a major laceration just below one knee. Within just a few minutes a man living in a country house nearest to the accident quickly came over and offered to help. When this man had gone to his house for ice and clean towels to put on my wife's wounds a man in a car by also stopped to see if he could provide any aid. The man living nearby later drove my wife and her bike to the Ultimate Tournament, where a first aid tent was there to help with the clean-up of the wounds.

Once at the Ultimate Tournament a volunteer at the first aid tent quickly cleaned the wounds and another volunteer drove my wife around as needed in a golf cart. The doctor that later gave her nine stitches noted the fine job that the volunteers had done of cleaning the wound.

While we hear plenty of the horrible things going on around the world, isn't it great to witness the kindness of perfect strangers?

Sunday, May 20, 2012

A few years back while googling my grandmother's maiden name I was thrilled to discover that there was an iris with her same name; Gladys Austin. I emailed a grower in Texas who sent me a couple of the iris tubers in the mail. After receiving them I promptly planted them and waited. The first season, no bloom. The second season I divided them and put them in a couple of different locations, still no blossom. Finally this past year I found a spot with good drainage and plenty of light, and was thrilled that just yesterday one of the plants finally blossomed.

The Gladys Austin is a rather showy bearded iris. This in keeping with my Grandma Gladys. She was know to wear a fair amount of jewelry, and didn't shy from pink polyester. Despite being of modest means and humble spirit, she didn't mind a bit of bling! So now as I look at this beautiful blooming iris I will forever be reminded of my Grandmother Gladys.

I wonder how conversations around race will change when the "majority" becomes the "minority". I've had brief encounters of being in the minority, both while traveling abroad for a school year, and having traveled numerous times to Asia. I think it would be a valuable learning experience for all who are traditionally in the majority to be in the minority for at least some amount of time in their lives, particularly in places where the primarily language spoken is not their native tongue. It can be a most humbling experience not to be able to communicate fluently, or even to be able to tell a funny joke. Experiencing the alienation while being a foreigner provides a brief glimpse of the life experience realized by many immigrants and refugees.

The classification of people by race is problematic. While on a walk yesterday I visited a friend who's son-in-law is from Belize. He's of dark complexion with a short afro. Yet, when coming to this country US Immigration and Naturalization classified him as "white", as he is neither "African" nor "African-American".

Those who are multiracial often don't have a box that fits their racial complexity. Seems we should by now be moving away from the old slave rule that one drop of blood automatically classifies a person as black.

The latest racial expression within the US for "minorities" is "persons of color". This seems to infer that all white folk are colorless. Not long ago "colored people" was a pejorative common term used to identify black people. Ironically this term was popular by a very common breed of white folk, known as red necks.

With all of this confusion it seems crazy to keep trying to put people into racial boxes. Since the genetic difference among races are insignificant I would be content with simply utilizing blood type as an identifier. I'm an A+, how about you?

Friday, May 18, 2012

I submitted the following to our local newspaper for their consideration.

A couple of residents raised concerns in the last SunPost
about the addition of bicycle lanes to area roads. As an avid biker, health
advocate and environmentalist, I too am concerned about the bicycle lanes,
mainly that they’re not being used nearly enough. These lanes make biking considerably more
safe and enjoyable than trying to cycle and fight traffic while battling the gravel
and trash that accumulates along the roadside.

However, people should beware of the many impacts biking
has, should they want to give it a try.
Having become more actively in biking these past couple of years I’ve
discovered the following side affects:

Calories are burned, rather than fossil fuels,
so both my weight and transportation costs go down

Creativity spikes when actively peddling

Drops in blood pressure and pulse rate, with an
increase in fitness level

Road rage is non-existent; I actually smile at
other bikers and pedestrians

Mood elevates as I breath fresh air, hear birds
and notice scenery

I feel
like I’m “being the change” that I want to see in the world

I would encourage readers to dust off those old Schwinn’s
they have collecting dust in the garage and hit the road. You might start with a ride around the block.
With a rack and saddlebag/backpack I’ve discovered I can easily bike to the
library, grocery store, meetings, church, bank and even to the dentist office.

I hope to see you enjoying the bike lane next time I’m out
riding. Happy trails!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Yesterday was my last day of the school year volunteering with a third grade class of students at a nearby school. Most of the time I helped with basic math; subtraction, multiplication and division. It was always a day brightener to spend time with the kids, who were eager to learn and do their best to improve. They also exhibited great honesty and enthusiasm.

At choir practice last night I was also pleased to learn that a volunteer I recruited from my church to tutor also felt like he had a rewarding year. A couple of weeks ago he even had me take a picture of him with the Nigerian ambassador to America when he was in town to speak for a Books for Africa event. He will be sharing this picture with one of his students who is a Nigerian native.

As often seems to be the case I felt like I gained far more than I received by volunteering. It is a great feeling to know that you can provide encouragement to a young person, and maybe even help them to gain vital life long skills. Of course the year-end thank-yous were also a nice touch!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

The teachings and practices of Christianity and those of Zen Buddhism have much in common. A few of the things Christians can learn from Zen Buddhism were posted in an article by Lori Erickson on the Beliefnet website (10 Lessons Christians can learn from Zen Buddhism).

One of the primary teachings of Zen Buddhism, that Jesus also reinforced, is to avoid being judgmental. We should take a fresh view of the world. "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged".

Breath is also a central focus of both traditions. Zen encourages a discipline of breathing practice. Within Christianity there are a number of references to the power of breath to heal, and even create life, as in the creation story of mankind. After being formed out of dirt God breathed on man to bring life.

Simplicity was a core teaching of Jesus. He recommended if we have a spare coat to we should give it away. As an iterate teacher and healer Jesus stored up his treasures in heaven, not on earth. Zen also encourages sparsity of things and a richness of the spiritual life.

Silence is golden. Within the Biblical tradition a key passage from the book of Psalms is "Be still and know that I am God." Stillness and centering practice are central to Zen Buddhism.

There is much we can all learn from the various faith and philosophical teachings and practices from around the world. Thomas Merton is among the Christian theologians who have been enriched by the teachings of Zen Buddhism. One my core beliefs is that there is no "them and us", there is only "us". If we wish to live more fully in this beautiful and diverse world it behoves us to become less judgmental and more understanding of the world's great spiritual and philosophical teachings and traditions. By seeking first to understand, then to be be understood, it brings us closer together. We can then come to know people living on all places around the globe as our brothers and sisters.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

At age 64 Frank Shorter, an American marathoner legend, is still running strong (Runner Frank Shorter is still on stride). How is this possible, when so many burn out or wear down from prolonged years of exercise? Seems he practices some helpful practices.

Listen to your body. Don't look to others for direction, be your own coach.

Don't over train. If you are feeling tired allow yourself to cut a workout short.

Set achievable goals. Rather than shooting for the sky, set goals that you are confident are attainable. This will be reinforcing!

If you're a runner, run slow enough that you can carry on a conversation 75 to 90 percent of the time.

Practice exercises you enjoy doing. For example, Frank Shorter notes that there has never been a day he hasn't wanted to get out and run!

Pictures are from the Central Regional High School Ultimate Championships this past weekend in Naperville, Illinois.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

The affluent lifestyle enjoyed by so many within the U.S.A. is making many of us overweight and unhealthy. Our sedentary lifestyle combined with a love of high calorie, sugary foods and beverages has created a nation where two-thirds of the adults and nearly one-third of its children are either overweight or obese.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

On my way home from a meeting in South Minneapolis yesterday I pulled my bike over for a visit to the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden. I had been by earlier in the year to photograph the early blooming flowers and was curious what might now be blooming.

While there I met a man who regularly takes pictures of the plants. He indicated you would have to come by almost daily to catch the vast variety of plants in their prime.

It was my good fortune to be there on the first day the Yellow Lady Slippers made their grand appearance. So glad I decided to take time out to make the side trip.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

I was blessed while tutoring math this past week when I learned an interesting concept about subtraction. You might recall learning about carrying from a larger number while subtracting. For example you have to borrow one from the two when you are subtracting 9 from 23. When reviewing subtraction with a young lady who seems to be dealing with far more than her far share of difficulties she envisioned borrowing this way...

"You see its kind of like a little guy going into a fight with a bigger guy, and you have to go get a bigger friend to help you out."

This illustration from my young friend was a reminder of her under appreciated creative and intellectual capability. It also prodded me to consider that those of us with great resources may be needed to the aid of those with little, and by doing so are blessed.

It is always a day brighter for me to witness the honesty and enthusiasm of the third graders I tutor in math. I'm not convinced I've done all that much to help them become better mathematicians, but I do hope that they know there is another adult in their lives that is concerned about them and likes them even when they're struggling to pass the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA), which aren't all that comprehensive. The MCA doesn't measure creativity, team work, compassion, etc.

Tutoring has also provides me with a means of connecting with a diverse segment of society with whom I might otherwise have very little to no contact. This in turn helps me to be a better informed citizen and hopefully a more compassionate member of society.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

We are becoming an increasingly stratified, market driven society, where the wealthy are able to buy considerable privilege. It is also becoming more economically segregated, as those with financial means sit in luxury boxes at sporting events, receive special airline privileges that bring them to the front of the line and may even may purchase the services of someone in India to become a surrogate mother for their child. Dr. Michael Sandel, a professor from Harvard University shared these concerns at a public presentation at Wayzata Community Church on May 3rd.

He noted that we've gone from a market economy to becoming a market society, where everything is up for sale. One of the consequences of this is that market values and norms will crowd out non market values and norms. For example, schools are becoming institutions exclusively focused on creating workers for business, rather than places that instill an intrinsic love for learning, and appreciation of the arts.

Another consequence of this market driven society is the growing separation of those with economic means from those without. Our city schools and neighborhoods have become a striking example of this, where two thirds of the students qualify for free or reduced rate meals.** Once their was a great mixture of people from all different professional and economic strata that grew up together. Now it is becoming increasingly rare for Americans to have significant interface with those from a different walk of life. When we don't personally know any poor or disenfranchised folk, we are less apt to be concerned about the common good.

Do you want to live in a society where everything is up for sale, and concern for the common good becomes uncommon? If not, what are you willing to do about it?

You can hear an interview with Dr. Sandel on MPR. He also has written a book on this subject, "What Money Can't Buy".

Friday, May 4, 2012

I discovered this fulfillment curve on a blog that I like to follow, "Not Buying Anything". Seems to sum things up pretty nicely. Having more than we need does not increase our sense of fulfillment, and in fact decreases our sense of fulfillment. Money does not buy happiness, unless it is given away, or helps to meet our basic needs.

How often do we hear of lottery winners, famous celebrities, "successful" business people or professional athletes who are financially wealthy and yet live unfulfilling lifestyles. Their lives of extravagance tragically often involve broken relationships, drug abuse, depression and sometimes suicide. However those who give generously of their great resources tend to live enriching and fulfilling lives.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Who are you Tamarack, gracefully standing geometrically
poised? Some of your family enjoy moist
swampy soils while others reside loftily, soaking up the sun’s rays along
mountainsides.

Neither fully deciduous nor coniferous. How is it that you decided, unlike the rest
of your coniferous friends, to turn a radiant yellow and then deciduously drop your once rubbery needles and stand bare through the winter months?

Double agent of a tree, you've assumed a common alias, Larch. What the heck, some even call you Hackmatack. You whisper secrets among your masses in the boreal forests of Russia and Canada.

Persevere Tamarack, and continuing confounding those who would
hope to classify and put you in the proper box. You, my friend, are an enigma,
not easily defined. Be proud of the unique, mystifying, and awe inspiring creation that is you.